Big Bang - Fantastic Baby (Best K-Pop Videos - Part III)

 And we're back - to the third instalment of 'Best K-Pop Videos.' It wouldn't really be a line-up of the best video unless the MV (scroll down to watch) for 'Fantastic Baby' by South Korean male group, BIG BANG, featured. I'm going to try and form coherent sentences to describe this visual display of weird and wonderful, as it would be too easy to just show you the video without talking about. If you'd like to watch the other parts of this special series then click the links below:

Part 1 with Girls' Generation (I got a Boy): http://scenesisters.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/girls-generation-i-got-boy-best-k-pop.html

Part 2 with f(x) (Electric Shock): http://scenesisters.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/fx-electric-shock-best-k-pop-music.html

Back in good ol' 2012, Big Bang made a significant 'bang' by releasing their single 'Fantastic Baby' along with a eccentric and outlandish music video that proved a mega hit for viewers and critics alike. Turning up the volume on the weird-o-mater, Big Bang's video channels the a new style of video similar to that of Lady Gaga's; its kooky, peculiar but deeply entertaining style rivals that of the pop world's meat wearing singer. The video (watch below) sees Big Bang members G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri donning elaborate attire and funky headwear ad-mist rioting and owls hooting. 

 Ok, so hopefully now you've seen the video, and if not, why not? As you may have seen, the video opens with an image of an owl perched on top of a pole which then fades, and we can see G-Dragon sitting on a throne with extremely long orange hair, wearing a suit Beetlejuice would be proud of, adorned in excessive jewellery and caked in more eyeliner than I even own.

Seriously, no words. It would appear the music riot police have arrived to shut the whole affair down (dressed in Storm-trooper chic) whilst G-Dragon appears to not be able to move to flee (probably all that hair weighing him down). 

But never fear, Taeyang has arrived to save the day - oh, no wait, it appears he's fallen in a vat of ice and is equally as immobile. Hang on, what's this? He's suddenly magically unfrozen, and then this happens: 

It is at this point, upon first watching I just bursted into laughter and the extreme bizarreness of it all, but it was both amusing and inspirational; you can't deny it's creative, after all, and certainly thoroughly entertaining. More rioting occurs and suddenly T.O.P has arrived and this marks the funniest and most elaborate moment of the video. T.O.P stands solely by a painting that resembles a window, in floor-length red velvet coat as the camera jumps forward at intervals to reveal him looking at the camera giving off this expression:

It wouldn't be a total exaggeration to say I pretty much died of laughter at this point. Big Bang prove in this video that they can be both memorable, entertaining and still create an interesting electro/hip-house infusion sound for the track which is strangely addictive. Just when you thought things couldn't get any more eccentric, the camera pans right to reveal T.O.P in a different nautical themed 'panel' complete with gustily winds and mast. 

 And of course, after he's segment of singing he can also be seen on a throne adorned in military attire (complete with medals), fur cape and snow boots. It's a wholly twisted affair of ridiculous outfits, colourful imagery and suitable self ridicule. Taeyang appears again, this time in a white room sitting cross-legged with what can only be described as stoom-trooper monks, whilst Daesung stands bare-chested and in chains in a room resembling a dungeon. 

Then we're joined by all members of the group and treated to another cheeky look by T.O.P, which has, by now, become a signature of the video. Now it's time for Seungri's solo of the piece (which is well-performed and smooth-sounding), and he is accompanied by several women in PVC cat costumes, and sporting a scratch on his chest (how vicious). 

To lighten the mood, we have resident comedian T.O.P come back in the mix, wearing his blue furry cape, complete with blue velvet suit, standing outside in the aftermath of the riot. 

Suddenly, G-Dragon drops from the ceiling and recites his verses, then it's back to Taeyang, who has his arm in a metal cast, while sparks fall from the ceiling (safety first). Daesung joins in, belting out his verses, whilst perched by a smoking car. He then falls into a pit of rioters (aka stormtroopers). The whole gang is back together and celebrate by breaking out a few moves in their underground party with the rioters. 

Oh, and there's some brown, furry creatures with masks on that join them (the stuff of nightmares). The video suitably ends with all members sitting on various thrones with a metal 'fantastic' sign sitting above. 

So, what did you think of the video? Was it as fantastic as they claim, and how strange on a scale of one to ten was that for you? But seriously, hope you all enjoyed that as much as I did. (More parts of the Best K-Pop Videos coming soon!)

Reviewed by Mel.